Love interest and star of The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner, will go down in reality television history as one of the most deceptive leads yet. Gerry’s debut in the first season of the first senior spin-off of the hit reality series, The Bachelor, garnered worldwide attention. With thousands of social media followers, big brand partnerships, and worldwide recognition, Gerry got exactly what he was looking for from his involvement: money and fame. However, with most fans remembering him for his lies, the star has become quite controversial.
Gerry Turner of The Golden Bachelor season 1 initially made a positive impression on the women and fans alike. At 72 years old, the single and retired restaurateur pulled at heartstrings. His devastating backstory and benevolent nature made him a fan favorite. After the show’s airing, truths regarding his past were revealed. As it turns out, Gerry was never the perfect man he desperately tried to portray. Now suspicions are arising regarding the show. It seems as though producers were aware of his indiscretions but still opted to cast him as the lead.
Gerry Seemed A Little Too Perfect As A Lead In The Beginning
The Golden Bachelor’s Gerry Put Up A Facade
Gerry was the ideal man. According to the show, the tender-hearted man had lost his wife of 43 years and could not bring himself to look for love again for another 45 years. As a retired restaurateur, he had proven successful and driven. He was gentle, sweet, and compassionate with the women. The contenders and fans swooned. He was truly the perfect bachelor until Gerry's deceit was unveiled.
One month after his wife’s passing, Gerry began dating a woman 14 years his junior.
While it’s true Gerry had lost his wife, he did not let that stop him from quickly resuming his search for love. One month after his wife’s passing, Gerry began dating a woman 14 years his junior. Their relationship would span another three years. After its natural conclusion, prompted by this woman’s weight gain, he would continue to date several other women. These committed relationships lasted several months, yet Gerry omitted them from his harrowing backstory.
Gerry is not the only one to blame for the televised artificiality. He described, in an interview on the Life Is Short With Justin Long podcast, the lengthy and invasive screening process required to enter the show. According to the star, in several interviews, he was required to complete background checks and psychological evaluations. While the vetting process examined Gerry thoroughly and likely established his romantic past, the show encouraged him to perpetrate this fraud. This decision paid off for the show, quite literally.
Producers May Have Used Gerry To Create More Bachelor Nation Buzz
Gerry Returned For The Show’s Spin-off Series
The first season of The Golden Bachelor was a hit. Audiences flocked to see the senior iteration of the hit franchise with ratings that would succeed any other episode since 2021. According to The Hollywood Reporter, “The premiere earned the highest multiplatform rating for The Bachelor franchise since 2021, with a combined 13.9 million viewers.” With millions vying to watch people find love later in life, and Gerry accruing an innumerable fan base, ABC’s decision to portray Gerry as a hopeless romantic was a powerful play. The subsequent backlash did not discourage the producers from capitalizing on his recognizability.
Despite Gerry’s fraudulence becoming a popular topic in the media, he was featured on the first season of The Golden Bachelorette. The once heartthrob entered to offer advice to leading lady Joan Vassos. His unexpected cameo left fans confused and frustrated. While the show should be making amends with viewers, producers offered Gerry more screen time. The heartbreaker has monetary value for the franchise.
Gerry's Relationship With Theresa Didn't Last
The Golden Bachelor Stars Were Never Meant To Fall In Love
As if Gerry’s conniving nature was not enough to tarnish his reputation, his clear manipulation of the show’s contenders underscores his dark side. Before the reveal of his past, Gerry was turning heads after leading on runner-up Leslie Fhima. As he courted and fell for the ultimate winner, Theresa Nist, he assured Leslie he was in love with her. Sure that she was the one, Leslie was shocked when Gerry proposed to Theresa during the finale. However, his decision did not hold much weight, with Theresa and Gerry divorcing after three months.
Their short engagement and loveless marriage, at least on Gerry’s end, proves that the show was more focused on exploiting fans for ratings rather than the task at hand: helping seniors find love. While The Golden Bachelor remains popular for its dramatics, fans want to see genuine love and compatibility on screen. If the producers continue to deceive loyal viewers and capitalize on a toxic personality, they can expect a decline in viewership and decaying trust. We can only hope that next season will feature a more authentic cast.
